Apparatus for electrically heating metal



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

G. D. BURTON. APPARATUS FOR ELEGTRICALLY HEATING METAL.

No. 537,405. Patented Apr. 9, 189% WITNEEEEE \/E TE!- AMA wfi v zv (NoModel.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

G. D. BURTON.

APPARATUS FOR ELBGTRIOALLY HEATING METAL.

No. 537,405. Patented Apr. 9, 1895.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

GEORGE D. BURTON, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

- APPARATUS FOR ELECTRICALLY HEATlNG METAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 537,40 5, dated April9, 189 5.

Application filed March 16, 1 8 95.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE'DEXTER BUR- TON, a citizen of the UnitedStates of America, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk, in theState of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Apparatus for Electrically Heating Metals and Ores, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an apparatus for heating metals to the fusingpoint or to a Working heat and for smelting ores, by means of anelectric or voltaic arc sprung between the metal or ore and anelectrolytic bathf The objects of the invention are to provide a simple,cheap, and convenient apparatus for this purpose. The form herein shownis especially adapted for use as a forge for blacksmiths.

The invention consists in certain novel fea tures of construction andcombination of elements hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents a plan of thisapparatus. Fig. 2 represents a vertical longitudinal section thereof online 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents avertical longitudinal sectionthereof on line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 represents a vertical trans versesection thereof on line 14: of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 represents a frontelevation, the front wall being partly in section showing the studs forsupporting the negative terminal and the insulated sockets for saidstuds. Fig. 6 represents an enlarged vertical section of one of saidsockets, the stud and atransverse section of said terminal.

A vessel 10, preferably in the form of a tank, andconstructed of orlined with a material which is a non-conductor of electricty, isdesigned to contain a bath 20 through which an electric current ispassed. If constructed of 'wood or earthenware, this vessel is coated onSerial No. 542,004. (No model.)

vessel when constructed as herein shown is provided with a verticaltransverse partition 12 near one end and a longitudinal partition 13near one side. These partitions or screens dividethe vessel or tankintoa main compartment 17, an anode compartment 18 and a pump compartment19, the anode compartment being provided with a cover 15 to protect theanode. These partitions 12 and 13 are provided with holes 1 1 below thesurface of the bath so that the solution may fiow freely from onecompartment to the other or they may, if desired, be in the form ofreticulated screens composed of non-conductive material.

The bath 20 partially fills the vessel or tank 10 and is composed of anelectrolyte having a density greater than water and capable of evolvinghydrogen. This bath may consist of a solution of chloride of sodium of adensity of 1.050 for small work, but when larger pieces of metal are tobe heated or ore is to be treated, the density should be increasedaccording to the size of the article to be heated. I have used for thispurpose a solution of salsoda of a specific gravity of 1.305 at 81Fahrenheit; also a solution of equal parts of salsoda and cream oftartar of a specific gravity of 1.255 at 77 Fahrenheit; also a solutionof water, carbonate of soda, and borax inthe proportion of three quartsof water to twelve pounds of carbonate of soda and one pound of borax.

An anode plate 30 is disposed in the solution, preferably in the anodecompartment 18 of the vessel 10. This anode is preferably in the form ofa serpentine plate and composed of lead. This anode plate is provided atone end with a copper conductor 31 which extends through a hole in thecover 15 and is provided with a binding post 32 above said cover forconnection with the electric circuit. The location of the anode Withinthe compartment prevents contact of the'work therewith and avoids ashort-circuiting of the current.

A hearth 40 composed of fire clay or other suitable non-conductivematerial is supported in the vessel on a suitable bed 45. This bed iscomposed of fire clay or any non-conductive material and it supports thehearth in such manner that the solutionmay flow underneath the latter asillustrated in Figs. 2 and 1. As

shown it is provided with openings 16 at its top. The hearth ispreferably provided with an irregular surface on its upper sidepreferably formed by a number of grooves 41. It is also provided withperforations 42 which extend from the bottom of the grooves through thehearth, and open into the space beneath the hearth. The grooves 41 maybe disposed a greater or less distance apart and ribs 43 having flatbearing surfaces of greater or less breadth may be formed between thegrooves.

A pump is disposed in the vessel or connected therewith, preferably inthe compartment 19. This pump is used to change the level of thesolution in the main or open hearth compartment 17. The barrel of thepump is attached at one end to a plate 62 fastened to suitable supports63 and 64. The plate 62 is provided with a pipe 61 which serves as aninlet and discharge tube for this purpose. This pump barrel ispreferably disposed on an incline and rests near its ends on blocks 65and 66. The piston 67 is provided with a piston rod 68 which extendsthrough the front side of the tank. The upper end of the pump barrel isclosed and the lower end thereof is open through the tube 61. When thepiston rod is pulled out a portion of the solutionis drawninto the pumpbarreland thelevel of the solution in the hearth compartment is loweredbelow the surface of the hearth. Then the piston rod is pushed inwardthe liquid is driven out of the pump barrel and flows through theopenings 14 in the partitions or screens into the main or hearthcompartment 17 and elevates the solution therein to a level with or aplane above the surface of the hearth. The solution flows readilyunderneath the hearth through the openings 46 in the sides of the bedand passes freely through the vertical holes 42 in the hearth to thegrooves 41 on the upper surface thereof and if necessary it overflowsthe surface of the hearth between said grooves. In order to form the areon the under side of the material being heated it is necessary to havesome of the solution on the under surface thereof and these groovesenable the solution to come into electrical connection with the underside of the work so that an arc is formed thereunder.

A terminal 70 in the form of a bar composed of copper or other suitableconductive material, is supported at the front edge of the tank oninsulated studs 71. One end of this bar is provided with a socket forreceivinga conductor connected with the negative pole of the electricsource and with a set screw for clamping the conductor in the socket.This bar is preferably beveled and serves as a rest on which the tool orimplement for grasping the article to be heated may form contactforclosing the circuit. To secure firmness of the support and preventmoisture from entering the wall of the tank or vessel, sockets 72 ofporcelain or other suitable nonconductive material, such as vulcanizedfiber, are inserted in the front wall of the box. These sockets arepreferably provided with enlargements 73 near their tops whichenlargements project above the recessed edge of the side wall of thevessel. The supporting studs 71 for the bar 70 project into thesesockets and a non-conductive composition 74: composed of sulphur andgrease melted together is filled into the pockets and cements the studstherein, making the supports for the terminal strong, water-tight andnon-conductive.

A conductive rod is supported at one side of the tank in any suitablemanner and adapted to slideto bring one end into contact with theterminal 70. As shown the rod is supported in porcelain eyes 81 adjustedin metal holders 82 inserted in the upper end of the longitudinalpartition 13. An electrode is hinged to the rod 80 and is adapted torest at its free end upon the work on the hearth 4-0 to establishelectrical connection therewith.

This electrode may be of any suitable form. Y

As shown it is forked to rest upon the heels of a horse shoe to beheated. It may be adjusted on rod 80 to bring it over different parts ofthe hearth. It is provided with an insulated handle 91 of any suitableconstruction. A positive conductor is connected at one end with theanode plate 30 and at the other end with the positive pole of a sourceof electric current. A conductor is connected at one end to the terminal70 and at the other end to the negative service wire or negative pole ofthe dynamo.

An automatic electrode 90 similar to the electrode 90 may be hingeddirectly to the terminal 70 and form contact with an article on thehearth. This electrode is provided with an insulated handle 91' whichmay be in the form of a rubber covering.

In the use of this apparatus for heating a horse shoe, the horse shoe isplaced on the hearth 40 as indicated in Figs. 1 and 4 and the electrode90 is swung down into contact with said horse shoe. Then the pump piston67 is pushed inward and drives out the contents of the solutioncontained in the barrel, or a portion thereof, whereby the level of thesolution in the tank 10 is raised to or above the surface of the hearth4:0 and into contact with the shoe or other article resting on thehearth. The contact of the liquid with the metal closes the circuit andan electric voltaic arc is immediately sprung between said article andthe liquid. This are tends to heat the horse shoe or other article atthe desired point and when sufficiently heated, the pump piston is drawnoutward and the liquid lowered, whereby the current is cut off. Thehorse shoe may then be removed and forged as desired.

When using the apparatus for heating a bar or plate of metal, this baror plate maybe laid flat on the hearth in contact with the plainsurfaces thereof and arcs will be sprung only along those parts whichare disposed over the grooves in the hearth, so that a bar or piece ofmetal may be heated at any desired point or points and other partsthereof left practically cold being heated only by conduction.

Then by moving the bar, if desired, it may be heated in other parts. Inthis way the length or breadth of the part being heated can be regulatedby the width of the groovein the hearth and different given points ofthe bar may be heated as desired.

When using the apparatus for smelting ores, the ore is placed on thehearth as illustrated in Fig. 2. When the pump piston is pushed inwardwhereby the liquid is raised into contact with the ore on the hearth,the circuit is thus closed and an electric arc sprung between the oreand the liquid and the metals in the ore are smelted and flow onto thehearth and drop in globules through the holes therein. These holesfacilitate the rise of the liquid into contact with the material onthehearth. The grooves in the hearth permit the liquid to come intocontact with the under side of the ore or metal and afford facilitiesfor the springing of an are underneath such article or material. It isnot desired that the solution shall totally submerge the article or ore,butthat the total area of the article should be wet in the solution,and'this can be effected by raising the level of theliq uid above theentire article or material to be heated and then lowering it so that theliquid comes in contact with only a portion thereof leaving top portionexposed.

The bath may be used at the same time or separately for heating anarticle held in a holder or tongs 120 which rest on the terminal andsupport the article to be heated in the solution near the surfacethereof.

\Vhen a bar or piece of metal is laid on the hearth and the solution iselevated to the working point, arcs are formed under the bar along thoseparts which are disposed over the grooves. By moving the bar differentparts thereof can be heated. Any particular part or parts desired areheated by placing that part or those parts over the groove or grooves.

The serpentine anode having a large surface exposed to the solution,acts as a cushion for the. current when the circuit is made or broken,since portions of the current will pass through the spaces between thepoles of the plates.

I claim as my invention- 1. In an electrolytic heating apparatus, thecombination of a vessel for containing an electrolytic solution, ahearth for supporting the material to be heated provided withperforations, and electric conductors for connecting said solution andmaterial with opposite electric poles.

2. In an electrolytic heating apparatus, the combination of a vessel forcontaining an electrolytic solution,a perforated hearth for supportingthe material to be heated provided with grooves on its upper face, andmeans for establishing an electric arc between the solution and thematerial on the hearth.

3. In an electrolytic heating apparatus, the combination of a vessel forcontaining an electrolytic solution, a hearth for supporting material tobe heated, provided on its upper face with grooves, and intermediateplain surfaces, which prevent the formation of arcs at those points, andmeans for establishing an electric are between the solution and thematerial on the hearth.

4. In an electrolytic heating apparatus, the combination of a vessel forcontaining an electrolytic solution, a hearth for supporting the work tobe heated, provided with perforations, a bed for supporting said hearthprovided with openings for the in flow of liquid under said hearth,means for depressing and elevating said solution in relation to saidhearth, and electric conductors for connecting the work and solutionwith opposite electric poles.

5. In an electrolytic heating apparatus, the combination of a vessel forcontaining an electrolytic solution, a hearth for supporting thematerial to be heated, a pivoted electrode adapted to be swung intocontact with the material on said hearth, means for depressing andelevating said solution in relation to said hearth, and electricconductors for connecting said solution and electrodes with oppositeelectric poles.

6. In an electrolytic heating apparatus, the combination of a vessel forcontaining an electrolytic solution, a hearth for supporting thematerial to be heated, a conductive bar, a hinged electrode in electricconnection with said bar and adapted to be swung into contact with thematerial on said hearth, means for depressing and elevating saidsolution in relation to said hearth, and electric conductors forconnecting said bar and solution with opposite electric poles.

7. In an electrolytic heating apparatus, the combination of a vessel forcontaining an electrolytic solution, a hearth for supporting thematerial to be heated, a conductive bar, a conductor movable into andout of contact with said bar, a hinged electrode on said conductoradapted to swing into contact with the material on said hearth, meansfor depressing and elevating said solution in relation to said hearth,and electric conductors for connecting said bar and solution withopposite electric poles.

8. In an electrolytic heating apparatus, the combination of a vessel forcontaining an electrolytic solution, a hearth for supporting material tobe heated, a conductive rest, a conductor, a hinged electrode connectedto said conductor and adapted to be swung into contact with the materialon said hearth, another electrode hinged to said rest and alsoadapted tobe swunginto contact with material on said bed, means for elevating anddepressing the level of the solution in relation to said hearth, andelectric conductors for connecting said solution and material withopposite electric poles.

9. In an electrolytic heating apparatus, the combination of a vessel forcontaining an electrolytic solution, a hearth for supporting thematerial to be heated, a conductive rest, a

slide rod adapted to be moved into and out of contact with said rest, ahinged electrode on said slide rod adapted to he swung into contact withthe material on said hearth, a hinged electrode supported on said-restand adapted to be swung into contact With the material on said bed, andmeans for elevating and depressing the level of the solution in relationto said hearth, and electric conductors for connecting said bar andsolution with opposite electric poles.

10. In an electrolytic heating apparatus, the combination of a vesselfor containing an electrolytic solution, a hearth for supporting thematerial to be heated, means for elevating and depressing the level ofthe solution in relation to said hearth, sockets of insulating materialinserted in the edge of said vessel studs supported in said sockets, aconductive rest supported on said studs,and electric conductors forconnecting said solution and rest with opposite electric poles.

11. In an electrolytic heating apparatus the combination of a vessel forcontaining an electrolytic solution, a hearth for supporting thematerial to be heated, means for elevating and depressing the level ofthe solution in relation to said hearth, a plurality of electrodesadapted to be swung into contact with the material on said hearth, andelectric conductors for connecting and disconnecting said electrodes inthe same circuit to form a multiplearc current through said material.

12. In an electrolytic heating apparatus, the combination of a vesselforcontainiug an electrolytic solution, a hearth for supporting thematerial to be heated, means for elevating and depressing the level ofthe solution in relation to said hearth, and an anode in said solutionin the form of a serpentine plate, a perforated partition for protectingsaid plate, and conductors for connecting said anode and the materialwith opposite electric poles.

GEO. D. BURTON. l Vitnesses:

S. M. DORSETT, F. O. SoMEs.

